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The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Initial Details

Russell Vought posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go.

Although Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson noted that layoffs would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Court Actions

Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Political Standoff and Budget Dispute

Congressional Democrats have declined to support a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

At a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to fulfill their duties and reopen the government,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

The layoffs occurred on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding expired at the beginning of the month.

Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government running,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the funding gap.